Is it possible to be thankful when times are difficult?

David, the great psalmist, says:  Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalms 100:4-5. 

It should be easy for us to be thankful when we are comfortable, healthy, and surrounded by loving, kind people. At HAH, that is not always the case. Patients come when they are sick and injured. Staff are constantly under pressure from gangs threatening their safety and freedom. Most of our employees live in homes that are not at all comfortable by North American standards. Many lack running water or reliable electricity. Resources are always in short supply. 

Yet Haitians are some of the most thankful people I know. Last week in church, we learned how entitlement and comparison can often lead us away from feelings of gratitude. My friends, colleagues, and patients in Haiti have taught me so much about gratitude, and I will be forever thankful for them. Even though they have only a fraction of what most of us have in the United States, their thankfulness often exceeds our own.

Watson: “I will not be discouraged!”

I am reminded of Watson, who came to HAH from the central plateau about 100 miles away. He had a tibial non-union with a section of missing bone in his leg. Drs. Fontulmé and Derifond, who trained as residents at HAH, are now attending surgeons at our hospital. Fortunately, they were able to take care of this difficult case, which involves gradually lengthening the bone into the defect. They sought my advice on some details, and during an early morning Zoom meeting, we planned the bone transport, which they then carried out. Watson went back to the countryside and followed the instructions given to him.

Last week, Watson returned to the hospital. It was a 24-hour bus trip that broke down at least twice, requiring an overnight stay and multiple stops for gangsters collecting tolls. Still, he was so thankful to arrive there. After a bone grafting procedure to complete the bone transport process, he said, “Mwen pap dekouraje non.” I will not be discouraged! “Doktè a dim aprè 3-4 mois map ka mache gras a Dieu.” The doctor told me I will be able to walk in 3-4 months, thanks to God. 

We continue to put forth our full efforts. Our staff continues to persevere. We are especially thankful to the donors who have already shown their generosity towards HAH this year. All these blessings and hard work enable us to deliver life-changing and life-saving operations and high-quality healthcare where it is needed most.

We should not go to bed at night feeling thankful that we do not have to face the challenges and dangers in Haiti, but instead thankful that we can help those who do.